On Friday, and every day, remember our veterans

Veterans’ Day is tomorrow, November 11, 2005. Dedicated to the remembrance of all the brave men and women who have served their country by defending its ideals, this national holiday is a tribute to their courage and their commitment to peace.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are about 25 million veterans in the United States today. More than 30% of all veterans served in Vietnam while less than 20% served in World War II. The number of World War II veterans continues to diminish due to advancing age. The numbers of military men and women serving today in the war against terror will soon increase the total number of veterans.

Almost two million of today’s veterans are women. They account for 16% of the Gulf War veterans, 5% of the World War II veterans, 3% of Vietnam veterans and 2% of Korean War veterans.

November 11 is actually the anniversary of Armistice Day, the 1918 signing of the armistice or truce by the Allies and the Germans, ending the four years of World War I.

In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge issued a proclamation requesting the display of the American flag on all government buildings and the celebration of Armistice Day. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a Congressional bill making it a legal holiday in 1938.

Veterans fought and died for this flag.

Over the years, the significance of the term “armistice” became increasingly unfamiliar to veterans, and, for that matter, to most Americans. On May 24, 1954, an Act of Congress changed the official name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans’ Day.

New legislation in 1968 changed the date of the observance to the fourth Monday in October. Many individuals, primarily veterans, resented the loss of the historic date. Ten years later, the date was changed back to November 11.

Official national ceremonies then, as today, center on Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns, unidentified soldiers from each major war who are buried there. At exactly 11 a.m. on November 11, a color guard executes “Present Arms”, the President lays a wreath on the tomb, and “Taps” is played to honor all soldiers, both the living and the dead.

Veterans” Day 2005 is an occasion to remember the sacrifices of the many men and women who fought, and continue to fight, so gallantly for all of us.